Penn Hills man found guilty in drug bust could face 15 years to life in prison

A Penn Hills man caught by police three years ago with nearly 20 pounds of marijuana, 150 grams of powdered cocaine and 340 grams of crack cocaine has been convicted on drugs and firearms charges, federal prosecutors said Thursday.

After deliberating for about two hours, a federal jury of nine men and three women found Denver Sangster, 43, guilty on several counts, including possession with the intent to deliver more than 280 grams of crack cocaine and possession of firearms used for drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said.

The charges carry a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison, Brady said.

On March 30, 2016, Pittsburgh police executed a search warrant at Sangster’s car and former home, on Orin Street in Pittsburgh’s Arlington neighborhood.

During the search, they seized large amounts of marijuana, cocaine and crack cocaine as well as four loaded guns, prosecutors said.

Assistant U.S. attorneys Brendan T. Conway and Brian Czarnecki prosecuted the case with help from Pittsburgh police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

U.S. District Judge David Stewart Cercone scheduled Sangster’s sentencing for Oct. 1.